Diptych with Aesculapias c. 5th - 6th century

Curator: I’m struck by the textural qualities in this diptych, the way the unknown artist has rendered the subject in bas-relief. Editor: Indeed. Let's consider this “Diptych with Aesculapias.” Carved by an unidentified hand, its modest size belies the rich narrative it presents. I wonder about the ivory, its source, and who would have commissioned and consumed such an object. Curator: Looking at the composition, the sinuous snake seems to mirror the figure's pose, creating a visual harmony. The craftsmanship and the classical themes suggest a patron interested in both aesthetics and status. Editor: But it's a healing deity paired with an attendant, referencing beliefs, labor and rituals. A fascinating dialogue between form and function, culture and commodity. Curator: I agree. This piece invites contemplation on the nature of healing itself. Editor: And leaves us pondering the skilled labor that shaped it.